Exhibit 99.1


July 21, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Doug Gulling, Chief Financial Officer
515-222-2309

WEST BANCORPORATION COMPLETES PURCHASE OF HAWKEYE STATE BANK

West Des Moines, IA (July 21, 2003) - West Bancorporation,  Inc., (Nasdaq: WTBA)
today announced its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  West Des Moines State Bank (West
Bank), closed on the purchase of Hawkeye State Bank on Friday, July 18.

Hawkeye  State Bank has assets of  approximately  $135,000,000  with deposits of
approximately $95,000,000 with two locations in Iowa City, Iowa. Total assets of
West Bank are now approximately $1 billion.

"After 110 years serving  metro Des Moines,  we are excited to expand into other
Iowa markets," said Thomas E. Stanberry, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of West  Bancorporation.  "Today we begin to support  the success of the
Iowa City community."

"West Bank's  strength in serving small to medium sized  businesses will benefit
the Iowa City  economy,"  said Lynn  Rowat,  West  Bank's new  market  president
leading the Iowa City operation.  "Hawkeye  customers will see expanded business
and personal services in the months ahead."

ABOUT WEST BANCORPORATION
West  Bancorporation,  Inc. is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa and is the
parent company of West Bank, which has been serving the greater metropolitan Des
Moines area for 110 years and Hawkeye State Bank,  an office of West Bank.  West
Bank focuses on lending,  deposit  services and trust services for consumers and
small  to  medium  sized   businesses,   and  is  a  leader  in  Small  Business
Administration  (SBA) lending.  The Bank has ten full-service offices in central
Iowa and a growing  network of ATM's.  On July 11, West  Bancorporation  entered
into an agreement to purchase VMF Capital,  L.L.C. - Iowa's largest  independent
investment  advisor with 25 employees in its Cedar Rapids and Clive  offices and
assets   under    management    of    approximately    $370    million.    Visit
http://www.westbankiowa.com/ for more information.


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